American music has a bigger African American influence than any other music in the world. The impact is huge; rap, jazz, hip-hop, you name it, and African Americans have probably put a neat twist to it. Why am I saying this right off the bat? Well, if the African American population has added such a rich component to our music industry and arts, why do we give them less credit? Since Africans were stolen from Africa in the early 1800's to be used as slaves in the new land, Africans carried over their oral history and have adapted to the often harsh living on plantations and farms in the United States. They brought over the bongo drums, banjo, songs of praise in groups, and their religious songs of praise and worship.
Why am I bringing this up? Well, it seems that at times it is forgotten that our culture is rich in diversity and respect should be guarded for those who have contributed towards the growth of this great nation; financially, educationally, and morally.
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Yeah, I totally agree. The music scene is filled with African American and Hispanic artists, who's belittling their accomplishments? I guess not everyone is fully knowledgeable of the roots of modern popular music, but hey, who ever understood the roots of everything?
I just found out the other day that "collard greens" were actually called "colored greens" when white plantation owners designated the plant for slaves' consumption. But later, when they realized how good it can be, they made the name "collard" greens because they wouldn't eat anything "colored!"
What about rock and roll. The "nigger music" that was stolen from black people '50s and '60s. And yet we get no credit for that.
I think in america there is a few to many blacks looking for another way that we are being ignored or "kept down". In our world of the internet EVERYBODY gets credit where credit is due, and in respect to pop culture, who cares who gets the credit or who doesn't know that blacks were among the first "cowboys" or country music singers, its about what people want to see in the media, and so for people who want their white cowboys, and long haired rockers they got em, and for those who want their ethnic superstars, well you got em too, so stop complaining about who started what, i really dont mean to sound jerkish in there
Well, we're talking about modern pop (including pop, rap, r/b, whatever) which I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole. But that's my opinion.
As far as lyrics changing. Yes, in general the lyrics to songs have changed...for the worse. At least, I think this is true for popular culture music in general.
Back in the day, music which would have been considered pop (such as the Darin, Monroe, Holliday, Sinatra, different time periods but you get the point) was lyrically/musically on an evolution(well, music's always been evolving) which I don't consider to be the case anymore. You may say that's because i'm unfamiliar with it. That's fine.
But compare a legend like Ella Fitzgerald and uhm...*coughs* Beyonce. Compare the lyrics of Ella Fitzgerald's Angel Eyes for example, to any of the latter's songs. Compare the musicianship, the lyrics whether rhymed or not, whatever have you.
I'm of the opinion that music, bleh, well that's another conversation, that music created by African Americans is of lesser value than previous decades or generations unless you look beneath the filth to uncovered acts and whatnot.
Like I said, that's my opinion.
For me, the same holds true for Hispanic music. Compare someone like Amalia Rodriguez (ok, an obscure one but they all are) to that J Lo thingy. I understand i'm comparing two women from two different cultures but they both have that traditional spanish-influenced sound.
Also, it's because our ideas that modern music is somehow better because it's new that we have these ideas of other people's cultures. Because we've only educated ourselves on the newer things. All of that was extra and kinda not on-topic but oh well.
It came to a point where it was all about getting money, bling bling, who has the flyest whip, or shooting up somebody. Now days, its all about sex. Its gone from bad to worse. We went to the materialistc stage of doing everything to get what truly doesnt even matter, to constantly rapping or singing about sex. Why do you think there so much teen pregnancy's now days and baby daddys walking around not paying child support. They wonna be so tough like "oh i just banged that chick last night" Just like they mention in the videos. And its teens 14 yrs to 17 not even 18 so imagine. And do parents know of this matter, I dont think so. Cuz on their free time they want to listen to parental advisory music. No wonder!